Karo Parisyan not fighting at Shark Fights 15

http://mmajunkie.comRecent rumors that Karo Parisyan (19-6) is returning to action at an upcoming Shark Fights event are untrue, the former UFC welterweight today told MMAjunkie.com (www.mmajunkie.com).

Parisyan was rumored to meet Strikeforce veteran Paul Bradley (15-2), and while the matchup was originally targeted for Shark Fights 15, it has since fallen by the wayside.

“There was some contractual stuff for us to go to California that we decided to pass on,” Shark Fights President Brent Medley added.

The promotion has not yet designated a venue for the event, which is targeted for April 22.

Parisyan said he had been training to fight Bradley and now hopes to fight sometime in the near future, possibly in Canada.

The one-time welterweight contender has been inactive since a TKO loss to Dennis Hallman at UFC 122, after which the promotion released him. The fight was billed as his last chance at an octagon career after he withdrew last-minute from a fight with Dustin Hazelett at UFC 106.

“Karo Parisyan’s going to have to pull himself together and get his life together,” UFC president Dana White said following UFC 123. “Karo Parisyan’s going to have to figure out the next chapter of his life.”

“A few months ago, White told MMAjunkie.com he only allowed Parisyan back in the UFC because he had assurances he was making progress in his personal life. He was involved in the efforts. And though White said he’d never put a fighter in danger, he didn’t see enough at UFC 123 to think Parisyan is ready to compete against the world’s best fighters.

“I’ll never put a fighter in harm’s way,” White said. “But Karo came in here tonight and proved he can’t compete at this level anymore.”

Medley said official matchups for Shark Fights 15 will arrive in the coming weeks.